Cards Ryan Williams cleared for limited activity

By Vince Marotta | May 23, 2012 at 9:22 pmUPDATED: May 23, 2012 at 10:30 pm

Another running back joined Cardinals practice Wednesday.

Ryan Williams, recovering from right knee surgery, was
given the green light for limited activity. He spent a
portion of the second day of OTAs in both team (receiving
handoffs) and individual drills (working on footwork)
before retreating back to the sideline to work with the
training staff.

“I think I surprised some people but I didn’t surprise
myself,” he said. “To be squatting close to 400 (pounds),
I should be able to do little things like that out there.”

Again, it wasn’t much but it was his first real football
work since last August when he was carted off the field
during a preseason game in Green Bay after tearing his
patellar tendon.

“It was good to see him back out there just doing some
football movements,” said running backs coach Tommie
Robinson. “Ryan did well within the things we asked him
to do. He did a good job.”

Robinson said they expect Williams to make a full recovery
and “be able to give us those things that we saw when he
was coming out of (Virginia Tech).”

But for now, Williams will be limited in his on-field
work, meaning going at half speed—which isn’t always
easy.

“I don’t have a slow down button,” he said.

“Once August comes, then I’ll really see where I’m at; but
as of right now, I’m just doing what the trainers say.
I’m not going against any word that they say.

“I’m satisfied with what is going on. The trainers tell
me how satisfied they are, everyday. They didn’t even
think I would be where I’m at right now. For them to tell
me that makes me feel good about what I’ve been doing.”

Williams said he still needs to build up strength in the
knee but feels comfortable enough to handle the drills
he’s allowed to do.

“It was cool to get the support and the hoorahs from (my
teammates) but I didn’t really surprise myself. It felt
good, almost brought a tear to my eye,” he said with a
smile.